Stiff Gear Changes?

[Naresh]

Hi, my Yaris has developed a problem with the gear stick recently where it is becoming increasingly harder to select gears. Even with the clutch fully pressed, I'm finding that gear changes are very stiff and I'm having to force the gear lever into position - almost in a "notchy" fashion. :(

Has anyone else had this problem, or at least suggest what it could be? If its something major, i'll avoid the main dealer and take it to an independent garage, but only after knowing what the problem is.

[DaveSR]

Which gears are you having problems with?

I sometimes have problems getting it into reverse and 1st some times

[minidoughty]

mines always been "notchy" and i love it!! was thinking of getting a short throw shifter to make it even "notchier?"

[Naresh]

Ok guys, perhaps using the word "notchy" was wrong, because I'm actually finding it difficult to get the lever to slot into position when changing gears. I'm having trouble with all the gears - basically whenever I want to change I'm finding alot of resistance in the gear lever to slot into position. The fact I'm forcing the gear lever into position (without crunching the gears), indicates a problem somewhere to me.

[ferrariboyuk]

Yeah i know what you mean. I have that sometimes on the old GLS. The gear shift on my tsport doesnt feel like it use to either. Feels like it needs more oil.

[Woody27]

Gearbox Oil or Clutch problems? I would see if you can check the gearbox for any leaks and also if the clutch fluid is topped up. Could be that there is a leak meaning either not enough oil in gearbox or a leak in the clutch hoses so that the clutch is not bein fully released as the clutch fluid is low or clogged etc. I would check it over yourself basically and also consider seeing a mechanic. I would check the fluid level atleast. Also could be a problem with gear cables or the clutch master and slave cylinders. May be worth bleeding and replacing clutch fluid if you think its a problem there.

[BLiTZ]

all i find is that 4th can be a bugger to get if the clutch isnt fully down = lots of crunchy noise - 2nd can also be stiff at times but no big issue

[Naresh]

Thanks guys, is it a simple job to top up/change the gearbox and clutch oil? I have the Haynes manual but never done any sort of oil change before!

[clarky]

Got my gearbox oil changed at around 80k for the first time - MrT were a bit non-commital about when to do it - if at all.

Suffice to say after the change it was much smoother - I had it done along with all the other fluids as part of a full service.

Also got a shortshifter and its still notchy without being stff

[DaveSR]

Thanks guys, is it a simple job to top up/change the gearbox and clutch oil? I have the Haynes manual but never done any sort of oil change before!

Can't help you on the above but to check for a leak -

If you park your car in a garage chuck some newpaper under it and leave it there over night. In the morning take you car out and check the paper.

If you park on the street get some cardboard and do the same - but it depends on whether it has rained to whether it will show or not

[Woody27]

I guess it cant be too hard with manual! haynes manual rates it 3 out of 5 which is "fairly difficult suitable for compotent DIY mechanic" for clutch bleeding and then for gearbox oil only 2 which is "fairly easy suitable for begginer with some experience" Another pretty obvious point is to remember gearbox oil isnt the same as engine oil! These are just some solutions i came up with and may not be right! May be the gear cables have stretched or something else so may be worth a check first. I suppose it cant hurt to renew the fluids if your avoiding a garage. Also Haynes manual will tell you how to get to the other bits to check! Hope im of some help although im no expert so someone else may come up with better advice!

[DaveSR]

I guess it cant be too hard with manual! haynes manual rates it 3 out of 5 which is "fairly difficult suitable for compotent DIY mechanic" for clutch bleeding and then for gearbox oil only 2 which is "fairly easy suitable for begginer with some experience" Another pretty obvious point is to remember gearbox oil isnt the same as engine oil! These are just some solutions i came up with and may not be right! May be the gear cables have stretched or something else so may be worth a check first. I suppose it cant hurt to renew the fluids if your avoiding a garage. Also Haynes manual will tell you how to get to the other bits to check! Hope im of some help although im no expert so someone else may come up with better advice!

Also dont forget that if you get halfway through ..... you can't just nip to the local garage and get them to finish the job off for you if you can't do it.

If you don't feel confident enough don't do it

[Woody27]

True bout topping up fluids is fine its just the bleeding of them! And if you can bleed them you can refill them. Another point is, if you have a leak in the gearbox (possible cracked casing) You may need to get under to have a look as the oil is very viscous and so may not drip down but instead stick to the casing! Just a thought!

[cmarshall]

I wouldnt say mine feels notchy at all, but the only other car I've owned is a clio so the TS gearbox feels great in comparison

[Al J]

I don't know if this is the same as with yours (describing gear probs is a nightmare!) but I had something wrong with my last yaris (1 litre) just as it was coming up to three years old.

Take a look and see anyway.

clicky

Sorry if it's not what you mean in your case.

[Gnome]

1st to 2nd, and back on mine is notchy.

All the others are fine.

It's not like the clutch isn't fully depressed either, as I even put clutch fully in (so at this point, I'm pushing the seat backwards!), wait a second, change gear, wait a second, and release the clutch.

Crazy 5 second gear changes.... :D

Micra gearbox was never stiff like that, and neither are other cars that I've driven....

[Demonic Angel]

How old is your Yaris mate? Have you had it since new? Has it been like this since you had it or only recently?

Sorry for the barrage of questions.... just trying to find out a bit of background info!

[Akshay]

Thanks for the replies people, my car is a 2000 X-Reg 1.3 ltr, and this problem has started ocurring over the past 6 months or so but is especially bad in cold weather it seems. How much would an independent garage charge for replacing the oil etc assuming its too difficult for me to do?

[Ryan1985]

Sometimes 1st and 2nd in mine are hard to engage but give it a nice wee shove and it goes in nicely (ooo err)!

[Hexa-dB]

I've been moaning to my wife about the same problem with mine (2001/51 plate 1.0L). It's probably had a fair amount of abuse though, it was my wife's first car (also used when she was learning) and now it's my first car and I also used it when learning.

Her car doesn't seem as bad, it's a 2003 1.0 (yes we have his n hers Yarises!)

[Ryan1985]

(yes we have his n hers Yarises!)

Don't worry, we have three in my family!

Anyway, back on topic...

[Hexa-dB]

(yes we have his n hers Yarises!)

Don't worry, we have three in my family!

Anyway, back on topic...

Her mum's got one too! (ours both came from her dad but he's got a Hyundai Getz now)

[Blue84]

Sometimes find that selecting first can take two attempts to make it "go in properly" but apart from that haven't had any problems that I know of, I drove the T-Sport at the weekend which has done around 57,000 miles since 2002 and it felt just like the gearbox of the 10,000 mile Yaris Blue.

I would be concerned too if that was me. If there is any charge for the change of oil I'd hope it wouldn't be much..have you done any calling around to get an idea of prices?

[Akshay]

No I haven't phoned around for prices yet, thought I'd find out first what the exact problem is rather than get a garage to spend a whole day trying to look for an expensive problem to fix and make themselves some money!

I'm going to check for possible leaks this weekend then take it from there. I'll also have a look at the Haynes manual to see how involved a job it is to top up the gearbox oil. :)

[danny6684]

Hi

Once i got my second hand yaris, i thought there was a problem with the first gear. However, after talking to a few people i soon sorted the problem.

If i was slowing right down and tried to put it into first gear, it would literally lock and not go in, so i dropped it into second. It wont let you go into first if the cars still moving me thinks!

As the clutch is so soft I think sometimes we just apply less pressure on the clutch and that may explain problems with the other gears!

Hope this helps.